6 Great Display Choices for Your MacBook Pro and Mac Pro

By Jeff Gamet

Jun 24th, 2016 6:54 PM EDT

Apple is getting out of the stand-alone display market—at least for now—and says there are plenty of third-party alternatives to its now defunct Thunderbolt Display. Sorting out which display to buy can be a little intimidating, so The Mac Observer put together a list with some great 4K, 5K, and HD options to help make your shopping a little easier.

Apple killed the Thunderbolt Display, but there are plenty of other options

HP is serious about their displays, and the Z27s is no exception. The display boasts a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, HDMI, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, USB 3.0, and VESA support. It costs a little more than Dell's P2715Q, but TMO's John Martellaro thinks it's totally worth the $641.19 price tag.

Another great 5K display choice is HP's 27-inch Z27q. It supports a 60 Hz refresh for both 4K and 5K resolutions, offers a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, includes HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2 and Mini DisplayPort, MHL, USB 3.0, and audio out ports, and VESA support. You can pick up the Z27q for $1,042.51.

HP's Z27q 5K display

Budget Displays

34-inches and curved aren't typically words you'd associate with budget monitors, but at $230 less than Apple's defunct Thunderbolt display, HP's Envy 34c qualifies. The display's resolution clocks in at 3440x1440 with a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, HDMI and MHL/HDMI ports, DisplayPort, USB 3.0, built-in speakers, and VESA support. John Martellaro and I both think it rocks, and at $769 you can't beat the price.

Asus may not be the first company you think of when you're display shopping, but it turns out the PB278Q is a really nice monitor at a surprisingly affordable price. This 27-inch display offers 2560x1440 resolution with DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, and DVI-D ports, 80,000,000:1 contrast ratio, built-in speakers, and VESA support. The price is right, too, at $389.